Sawhorse bracket assembly



June 21, 1960 c. o. LARSON 2,941,618

SAWHORSE BRACKETASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 7, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 o 92 9 I, 7 INVENTOR.

8:; CHARLES o. LARsuN June 21, 1960 c. Q. LARSON 2,941,618

SAWHORSE BRACKET ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. '7, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

CHARLES O. LARSON United States PatentQ This invention relates to heavy duty sawhorses, trestles and the like and particularlyv to a bracket assembly for making folding and demountable sawhorses and the like.

There is a substantial demand for heavy duty sawhorses, trestles and the like for use as barriers, temporary fences or other obstacles as well as sawhorses. Many of these possible uses are temporary in the sense that the sawhorses may be utilized only for short periods of time, such as for example a temporary barricade along a road under construction, after which the sawhorse is either stored or transported to another place of use. Accordingly, it is desirable to disassemble such'sawhorses between periods of useand during transportation'thereof so that the sawhorse will occupy as small a space as possible. When the sawhorse is to be assembled again, it must be so constructed that it can be readily placed into operative condition and when assembled be strong and rigid. It further is desirable to provide a bracket assembly which can be utilized with difierent sizes of lumber such as for example two inch or one inch lumber as de sired whereby to give greater versatility of the bracket assembly.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved heavy duty sawhorse .bracket assembly which can be utilized quickly to astion or storage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bracket assembly for a heavy duty sawhorse of the type set forth in which the legs of the sawhorses are firmly separated and held in position by the assembly and the crosspiece is likewise firmly clamped and positioned with respec to the bracket assembly.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a bracket assembly for a heavy duty sawhorse of the type set forth in which the same assembly can be used with both one inch and two inch lumber to form a strong and rigid sawhorse, trestle or thelike.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following de-' scription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been utilized to designate like parts throughout:

Figure l is a perspective view of a sawhorse of the type which can be constructed utilizing the bracket assembly of the present invention, two of the bracket assemblies of the present invention having been utilized to secure two sets of legs in converging relationship with seen in the direction ofthe arrows along. the line 3 3 of "ice Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section through the bracket assembly and the associated legs and crosspiece substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

., Fig. 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of one of the brackets forming a part of the bracket assembly of the present invention;

' Fig. 6 is an end View of a sawhorse constructed using the bracket assembly of the present invention wherein the legs and crosspiece thereof are formed of lumber having only half the thickness of the lumber illustrated in Figs.

l-4; and

Fig.7 is a view on an enlarged scale in vertical section through the sawhorse of Fig. 6 substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 7-7 thereof.

There is shown in Figs. 1 through 4 of the drawings a sawhorse generally designated by the numeral 10 which has been assembled utilizing two of the bracket assemblies of the present invention to unite suitable lengths of 2" x 4" lumber. eludes four legs 12 arranged in pairs at opposite ends of a' crosspiece 14, the upper ends of the legs 12 converging.

the sawhorse 10 are identical and, accordingly, only oneset 'of parts will be described in detail. Each assembly includes a pair of separate, individual and identical brackets 16. As may be best seen in Fig. 5 of the drawings, each of the brackets 16 includes a main wall 18 which is substantially rectangular in shape and is provided on the longer vertical edges thereof with side flanges 20 formed integral therewith and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto. The-side flanges 20 are -substan tially parallel to each other and extend from the main wall 18 in the same direction. The lower edge 22 of each of the side flanges 20 is preferably formed substan-' tially perpendicular to the edge joining the walls 18 and 20. The other end of each edge 22 connects with an upwardly directed edge 24 which in turn. connects with an upwardly directed edge 26 which is formed substantially parallel to the junction between the walls 18 and 20. The upper end of the edge 26 terminates in a rounded portion 28.

- The upper edge of the main wall 18 has formed inte'gral therewith a top flange 30 which extends therefrom in the same direction as the side flanges 20 and is disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the main wall 18. The side edges of the top flange 30 are suitably connected to the top of the side flanges 20 such as by welding along a junction line 32. Extending downwardly from the forward edge 34 of the top flange 30 and sub stantially perpendicular thereto is a forward edge 36 on each of the side flanges 20, the forward edges 36 connecting with the rounded portion 28 referred to above by means of a straight edge 38 which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the forward edge 36. The edges 38 are adapted to support the crosspiece 14 and the forward edges 36 are provided with triangularly shaped teeth 40 which are adapted to engage and grip the crosspiece 14 associated with the brackets 16. Pref erably two spaced apart teeth 40 are provided on each of the forward edges 36.

In making a sawhorse, two of the brackets 16 are interconnected and to this end each of the side flanges 20 has a pair of openings 42 and 44 formed therein, the openings in the side flanges 20 being in alignment with each other so that a connecting pin 46 can be inserted through aligned openings 42 in one positionof the brackets or alternatively through aligned openings 44 in another position of the brackets when 'two brackets are arranged in the desired assembled relationship. The

" opening 'ttis '-di'spose"d"'lower thart'the openrnguz'and' More particularly, the sawhorse 10 in-' Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings and when utilizing. 1": lumber, the Connecting pin 46 is disposed. through the apertures 42 as is illustrated in Figs. 6 and, 7 of the drawings. The brackets are free to pivot about the pin 46. and are retained thereon by cotter pins 48 which are dis posed in suitable apertures provided adjacent to each end of the connecting. pin 46.

-When utilizing 2" lumber to assemble the sawhorse It), the broad side of each leg 12 is disposed against the main wall 18 of the associated bracket 16 and the. upper end thereof abuts against. a pair of flanges t) struck from the side flanges 20 and extending inwardly therefrom. A plurality of holes 52 is also provided in each of the side flanges 20 to receive nails 54 orsimilar fastenersv therethrough, if desired, whereby fixedly to mount the bracket 16 upon the associated leg 12. Preferably four holes 52 arev provided, two of the holes being arranged in a row parallel to. the main wall 18 and spaced therefrom with the centers approximately /2 therefrom so that those holes can be also used to place fasteners in 1" lumber. The other two holes are spaced farther from the main flange 18 and are useful only with 2" lumber. The crosspiece 14 rests upon the edges 38 of the brackets 16 and may also rest upon the upper ends of the legs 12 and further is clamped to. the bracket 16 by means of the. teeth 49 engaging and entering therein.

Since each of the legs 12 is connected to the assembly only by means of its associated bracket 16, means is provided touseparate the legs 12 whereby to pivot the upper portions of the bracket 16 and particularly the teeth 40 thereof toward each other and into the sides of the. crosspiece 14. A yoke generally designated by the numeral 58 is provided, to aid in separating the legs 12. (see. particularly Figs. 3 and 4). The. yoke 58 in cludes a pair of spaced apart aligned flanges. 60 having a width such that they will just clear or barely contact the. inner sides of the legs 12 when using 2." lumber.

Extending downwardly from the flanges 60 are two parallel members 62 connected atthe lower end by a flange 64. The members 62 have aligned apertures therein to receive the connecting pin 46 therethrough, the pin 46 serving to mount the yoke. 58 in operative position. A spreader generally designated by the numeral 66. is also provided to urge the lower ends of the legs 12 away from each other. The spreader 66 includes a generally U-shaped. longitudinal member 68. having an upper wall 70 adapted to be disposed horizontally in operative position. Depending downwardly from the top wall 70 are side walls 72 which are disposed at obtuse angles with respect to the top wall 70. The lower edges of the side. walls 72 are provided with inturned flanges 74 which give. added rigidity to the spreader 66. Theends of the member 68 are closed by end walls 76 which at the upper portion thereof conform to the cross section of the members 68 and further extend downwardly therefrom as can: be best; seen from Figs. 3 and 4. of the drawings. The end walls 76 may be apentured as. at 78' to receive nails and other fasteners if desired.

Meansis providedxto urge the spreader 66 upwardly. More specifically, an eye bolt 80 is provided including an eye 82 at one end thereof and a threaded portion 84 on the other end: thereof. The eye 82 receivesthe con nectingpin 46 therethrough and the shank 86 of the eye bolt extends downwardly through an opening 88 in the yoke flange- 64 and through an opening 90 in the top wall 70 of. the spreader 66. A speed nut 92 is provided on the threaded portion 84 and can be threaded upwardly into engagement with the inturned flanges 74.

9. 1 e pli' adet 66f whereby to. urge thespread'er 68.,up-

be best seen in Fig. 4.

wardly against the legs 12 whereby to spread the lower ends of the legs 12 outwardly and to force the teeth 40 into the crosspiece 14. The yoke 58 during the tightening process performs the important function of keeping the eye 82 of the eye bolt 80 centrally of the connecting pin 46, the ends of the flanges 60 extending substantially to the inner sides of the bracket side flanges 20 as may In order to prevent loss of the speed nut -92 from the eye bolt 80, acap nut 94 is provided on the lower end of the eye bolt 80. 7

Referring now to Figs. 14 of the drawings, the assembly of 2" x;4" lumberwiththe brackets 16 and the other parts of the bracket assembly to form the sawhorse 10 will be described. Whenusing 4" width lumber, the

main wall 18 of the brackets 16 is made slightly wider than 4" since one of the side flanges 20 of the associated brackets 16 must extend within the adjacent side flange 20 of the other bracketasis best illustrated in-Eig. 4. The first step in assembly is to secure each of thelegs. 12 to its associated bracket 16; The parts are positioned as illustrated in Fig. 3 with each of the legs 12 in abutment with the associated. flanges. 50. Suitable fasteners such as the E-Z pull, out nails 54 can then be driven through the holes 52 into the legs 12. Next the brackets 16 with the legs 12 attached are arranged so that the connecting pin 46 can be put through the aligned open.-. ings 44. If desired, washers 96 can be provided on the outer ends of the pin 4.6 and all the parts connected by inserting the cotter pins 48 through the ends of the con-l nectinggpin 46. It is to be understood that. the yoke 58 and the. eye bolt are suitably positioned within. the bracket 16 so that, the connecting pin 46 passes through the eye 82 of the eye bolt 80 and through the. aligned openings in the yoke members 62. Next the: spreader 66 is positioned on the eye bolt 80, the speed nut is threaded into'the lower threaded portion 84 andthe cap nut 94 is placed in position. Then the cross! piece. 14. is positioned as illustrated in Fig. 3 and the speed nut 94 is threaded upwardly whereby to force the spreader 66 upwardly. Theendwalls'76 of the spreader 66v slide along the inner surfaces of the legs 12 and: gradually spread the lower ends of the legs 12 outwardly.- Such motion of the lower ends of the legs 12 causes the upper ends of the bracket 16 to be forced toward each other and the crosspiece 14. This presses the teeth 40.-intothe-sides, of thecrosspiece 14 whereby when the parts. are in. the. position illustrated in Fig. 3 of the draw-. ings,v theassembly is strong and rigid. The legs 12 are glgread. apart, by the spreader 66. and also .bythe yoke the openings 44 which are spaced farthest from the main wall 18 thus permitting the widest separation of the brackets 16. When. the parts are in the final position; it may be desirableincertain instances to put fasteners through the. openings .78 in the. spreader 66 and into the legs 12. a

In orderto dismantle the sawhorse 10, it is necessary first toturnthespeed nut 94 downwardly against the cap nut 94. Any fasteners which have been placed in the openings 78 are removed and this permits the spreader 66 to be dropped out of engagement, with the legs 12. After the spreader 66 has been turned so that its axis is in. alignment with. the crosspiece. 14, the legs. 12 can he. pivoted'about the connectingv pin. 46 so that the lower ends. approach. each other. This will immediately re,- lease the crosspiece, 14. If it is further desired to: dis? assemble the. legs 12 from the: brackets 16,. this can be readily doneby removingthe fasteners extending through/ It. is. to be noted that the connecting pin 46 is in V 50 thereby permitting the leg 12 to be moved upwardly against the top fiange 30. Suitable fasteners may be placed through the holes 52 whereby firmly to interconnect the legs 12 with the associated brackets 16. The connecting pin 46, the yoke 58 and the eye bolt 30 are then assembled as has been explained above. Next the spreader nut 92 and the cap nut 94 are assembled as has also been explained above. The connecting pin 46, however, is placed in the upper opening 42 which permits the brackets 16 to be moved inwardly toward each other in order to engage the narrow crosspiece 14. The speed nut 94 can then be threaded upwardly whereby to spread the lower ends of the legs 12 apmt and to force the teeth 40 of the brackets 16 into the sides of the crosspiece 1 When the parts are in the desired adjusted position, fasteners may be driven through the openings 78 and into the legs 12. When it is desired to dismantle the sawhorse, the above operations are reversed as has been explained above with respect to Fig. 3.

The bracket illustrated in the drawings is particularly adapted for use with lumber having a width of four inches. It is to be understood that by suitable shaping of the various parts, 2" x 2" and 2" x 6" lumber may also be utilized. The brackets 16 when thus modified can also accommodate 1" x 2" and l x 6" lumber, respectively, without any further change in the structure of the brackets and the other parts of the bracket assembly. More specifically, in order to accommodate varying widths of lumber, the main wall 1% and the top flange 30 of the brackets 16 need only be changed in width.

The spreader 66 is a substantial improvement over similar devices used heretofore. The shape thereof and specifically the smooth end walls 76 eliminate marring of the associated legs. Furthermore, pressure is placed on the legs and all other members simultaneously. When dismantled, the legs can fall flat for easy storing. Furthermore, the legs when folded provide a full opening to receive the crosspiece. Another important advantage of the assembly is the fact that the legs 12 provide a 100% support for the crosspiece 14 when using 2" lumber.

It will be seen that there has been provided a bracket assembly for forming heavy duty sawhorses, trestles and the like which fulfills all of the objects and advantages set forth above. Although certain preferred forms of the invention have been illustrated in the drawings and described, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bracket assembly for interconnecting a crosspiece and a pair of 'legs in converging relationship with each other and to the crosspiece wherein the lumber forming the crosspiece and the legs may be of a first lesser thickness and a second greater thickness, comprising a pair of separate independent and indentioal brackets, each bracket including a substantially rectangular main wall and having a pair of side flanges formed integral therewith and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto, a top flange formed integral with the top edge of said main wall and interconnecting said side flanges, an abutment flange struck from each of said side flanges and extending inwardly toward the opposite side flange and spaced from said main Wall a distance at least as great as the first lesser thickness, said bracket being adapted to receive the upper end of an associated leg between said side flanges and abutting against said top flange when the leg is of the first lesser thickness and the upper end of the leg abutting against said abutment flange when it is of the second greater thickness, each of said side flanges having a pair of laterally spaced apart apertures therein with corresponding apertures in said side flanges being in alignment, a pin extending through corresponding apertures and assembling said brackets in pivotal relationship thereabout, a yoke mounted on said pin between said adjacent side flanges, a bolt carried by said pin and centered between said side flanges by said yoke and extending downwardly therefrom and between a pair of associated legs, a spreader adapted to be positioned between the associated legs and having an opening therein to receive said bolt therethrough, a fastener engaging said bolt and hearing against said spreader to force said spreader toward said pin whereby to move the ends 01": the associated legs opposite said brackets away from each other, and gripping means formed on said side flanges and adapted to engage an associated crosspiece to hold the crosspiece upon spreading of the associated legs, one of said apertures being disposed below the other and spaced farther from said main wall than the other, second brackets accommodating the first lesser thickness of crosspiece when said pin is in the other of said apertures and said brackets accommodating the second greater thickness of crosspiece when said pin is in said one of said apertures, whereby said bracket assembly can accommodate and rigidly hold either thickness of crosspiece and legs.

2. The bracket assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein a first series of openings is provided in each of the side flanges and spaced from the main wall a distance equal substantially to one half the first lesser thickness, and a second series of openings is provided in said side flanges and spaced from said main wall a distance equal to slightly more than one half of the second greater thickness.

3. The bracket assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the spreader includes a generally U-shaped longitudinally extending member, and walls formed integral with said U-shaped member and inclined with respect to the axis thereof at an angle thereto substantially parallel to the adjacent side of an associated leg, said U-shaped member having an opening therein to receive the bolt therethrough.

Brown Oct. 4, 1938 Dalton Apr. 27, 1943 

